diff --git a/docs/gyms/cross-timeline-interactions/gym_main.dtl b/docs/gyms/cross-timeline-interactions/gym_main.dtl
index 58d8988..557998a 100644
--- a/docs/gyms/cross-timeline-interactions/gym_main.dtl
+++ b/docs/gyms/cross-timeline-interactions/gym_main.dtl
@@ -69,5 +69,10 @@ Miko (neutral): More patterns to explore:
     Miko (neutral): Press the button 5 times to return.
     jump gym09_intro/
 
+- 10. Character & Portrait Gym
+    Miko (joy): Positions, emotions, transforms, and spine animations!
+    Advisor (pl5): The visual half of the visual novel.
+    jump gym10_main/
+
 - Back to first page
     jump menu
diff --git a/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/README.md b/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..de607fe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+# Gym 10 — Character & Portrait Gym
+
+Tests every aspect of Dialogic's character/portrait system.
+
+## Demos
+
+| # | Timeline | What it covers |
+|---|----------|---------------|
+| 1 | `gym10_positions` | Preset positions (left/center/right/leftmost/rightmost), manual pos=, z-index stacking |
+| 2 | `gym10_portrait_switch` | `[portrait=name]` mid-text switching, emotional arcs, variable-driven portraits |
+| 3 | `gym10_multichar` | 3+ characters on screen, z-index layering, dynamic leave/rejoin flow |
+| 4 | `gym10_transforms` | mirror, scale, offset, rotation, smooth move transitions |
+| 5 | `gym10_spine` | Raptor's spine-animated portraits (walk/jump/roar) vs static PNG portraits |
+
+## Characters Used
+
+- **Miko** — portraits: neutral, smile, joy, anger, shock
+- **Advisor** — portraits: pl5, blink, doubt, surprise
+- **Merchant** — portraits: happy, blink, surprise, confusion
+- **Raptor** — spine-animated portraits: walk, jump, roar
+
+## How to Run
+
+- **From hub:** Pick option 10 in the main gym hub
+- **Standalone:** Open `gym10_main.tscn` → F6
diff --git a/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_controller.gd b/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_controller.gd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a89ae3d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_controller.gd
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+# ============================================================
+# Gym 10 — Character & Portrait Gym Controller
+# ============================================================
+extends Node2D
+
+@export var start_timeline: DialogicTimeline
+
+
+func _ready() -> void:
+	Dialogic.start(start_timeline)
+	print("[Gym10] Character & Portrait Gym ready.")
diff --git a/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_controller.gd.uid b/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_controller.gd.uid
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8c86382
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_controller.gd.uid
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://pdl00kv4n5q1
diff --git a/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_main.dtl b/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_main.dtl
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0a2bd7a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_main.dtl
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+# ============================================================
+# Gym 10 — Character & Portrait Gym
+# ============================================================
+# Systematic exploration of Dialogic's character/portrait system:
+# positions, mid-text switching, multi-character scenes,
+# transforms (mirror/scale/offset), and spine animations.
+# ============================================================
+
+join Miko (joy) center [animation="Bounce In"]
+
+Miko (joy): Welcome to the Character & Portrait Gym!
+
+[wait time="0.5"]
+
+join Advisor (pl5) right [animation="Fade In"]
+
+Advisor (pl5): This is the VISUAL half of the visual novel.
+Miko (smile): Characters, portraits, expressions — all the things\
+that bring a VN to life!
+
+[wait time="1.0"]
+
+label menu
+
+Miko (neutral): What would you like to explore?
+
+- 1. Positions & Presets
+    Miko (smile): Left, center, right, manual positioning, and z-index!
+    jump gym10_positions/
+
+- 2. Portrait Switching (mid-text emotions)
+    Miko (joy): Watch my expression change in real-time as I speak!
+    jump gym10_portrait_switch/
+
+- 3. Multi-Character Scenes
+    Miko (neutral): 3+ characters on screen — who's in front?
+    jump gym10_multichar/
+
+- 4. Transforms (mirror, scale, offset)
+    Miko (smile): Flip, resize, and reposition characters.
+    jump gym10_transforms/
+
+- 5. Spine-Animated Portraits (Raptor)
+    Miko (joy): The dinosaur with moving portraits!
+    jump gym10_spine/
+
+- Back to main hub
+    jump gym_main/menu
diff --git a/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_main.dtl.uid b/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_main.dtl.uid
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d5d14c8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_main.dtl.uid
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://br6emd84bsphi
diff --git a/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_main.tscn b/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_main.tscn
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..17a7aa2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_main.tscn
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+[gd_scene format=3]
+
+[ext_resource type="Script" path="res://docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_controller.gd" id="1_ctrl"]
+[ext_resource type="Resource" path="res://docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_main.dtl" id="2_main"]
+
+[node name="Gym10CharacterPortraits" type="Node2D"]
+script = ExtResource("1_ctrl")
+start_timeline = ExtResource("2_main")
diff --git a/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_multichar.dtl b/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_multichar.dtl
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bef7366
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_multichar.dtl
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+# ============================================================
+# Gym 10.3 — Multi-Character Scenes
+# ============================================================
+# Demonstrates managing 3+ characters on screen:
+# join orchestration, z-index stacking, leave/rejoin flow.
+# ============================================================
+
+leave --All--
+
+# ---- Build up a full scene ----
+join Miko (neutral) center [animation="Fade In"]
+join Advisor (pl5) right [animation="Fade In" wait="true"]
+join Merchant (happy) left [animation="Fade In" wait="true"]
+
+Miko (neutral): Three characters on screen!
+Advisor (pl5): This is a full conversation scene.
+Merchant (happy): I feel included!
+
+[wait time="1.0"]
+
+# ---- Demonstrate z-index with 3 overlapping chars ----
+leave --All--
+
+join Miko (joy) center [animation="Fade In" z_index="2"]
+Miko (joy): Center with z_index 2.
+
+join Advisor (pl5) pos=x0.45y0.5 size=y400px rot=0 [animation="Fade In" z_index="1"]
+Advisor (pl5): Moved slightly left, behind Miko (z_index 1).
+
+join Merchant (surprise) pos=x0.55y0.5 size=y400px rot=0 [animation="Fade In" z_index="3"]
+Merchant (surprise): Moved slightly right, with highest z_index (3)!
+
+[wait time="1.5"]
+
+Miko (smile): Notice the stacking — Merchant is on top, then me, then Advisor.
+Advisor (doubt): This is how you control who appears in front.
+
+[wait time="1.5"]
+
+# ---- Leave and rejoin (dynamic cast) ----
+leave Merchant [animation="Fade Down"]
+
+Miko (neutral): The merchant left. Now it's just the two of us.
+
+[wait time="0.5"]
+
+join Merchant (happy) left [animation="Bounce In"]
+
+Merchant (happy): I'm back! And I moved to the left.
+
+[wait time="1.0"]
+
+Advisor (pl5): Characters can leave and rejoin at different positions.
+Advisor (doubt): This is essential for scene direction — characters\
+enter and exit the conversation naturally.
+
+[wait time="1.5"]
+
+# ---- Leave all at once ----
+Miko (smile): And with one command...
+leave --All-- [animation="Fade Down"]
+
+[wait time="1.0"]
+
+Advisor (pl5): `leave --All--` clears the stage instantly.
+Miko (neutral): Useful for scene transitions!
+
+[wait time="1.0"]
+
+jump gym10_main/menu
diff --git a/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_multichar.dtl.uid b/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_multichar.dtl.uid
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..67a604d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_multichar.dtl.uid
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://bqy80a0et22t4
diff --git a/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_portrait_switch.dtl b/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_portrait_switch.dtl
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0fea40c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_portrait_switch.dtl
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+# ============================================================
+# Gym 10.2 — Portrait Switching (Mid-Text Emotions)
+# ============================================================
+# Demonstrates changing a character's portrait expression
+# in the middle of a text event using [portrait=name].
+# Also: variable-driven portrait selection.
+# ============================================================
+
+leave --All--
+
+join Miko (neutral) center [animation="Fade In"]
+
+Advisor (pl5): Portrait switching is what makes characters feel alive.
+Advisor (pl5): Watch Miko's expression change as she speaks.
+
+[wait time="1.0"]
+
+# ---- Single emotion change ----
+Miko (neutral): I'll start calm...[portrait=joy] and suddenly I'm happy!
+
+[wait time="1.0"]
+
+# ---- Emotional arc in one line ----
+Miko (neutral): Watch this:[portrait=shock] Whoa![portrait=anger] That makes me mad!\
+[portrait=smile] But I'm a forgiving person.[portrait=joy] And now I'm happy!
+
+[wait time="1.5"]
+
+# ---- With pauses between emotions ----
+Miko (joy): Let me tell you a story.[pause=0.8][portrait=neutral] It starts normally.\
+[pause=0.8][portrait=shock] Then something shocking happens!\
+[pause=0.8][portrait=smile] But it has a happy ending.
+
+[wait time="2.0"]
+
+Advisor (pl5): The [portrait=name] tag switches the current speaker's portrait.
+Advisor (doubt): It happens instantly when the text reveal reaches that point.
+
+# ---- Variable-driven portrait ----
+leave Miko
+[wait time="0.5"]
+
+set {Gym.demo_flag} = true
+
+if {Gym.demo_flag}:
+    join Miko (joy) center [animation="Fade In"]
+    Miko (joy): The variable was TRUE, so I'm happy!
+else:
+    join Miko (anger) center [animation="Fade In"]
+    Miko (anger): The variable was FALSE, so I'm angry!
+
+[wait time="1.0"]
+
+Miko (smile): You can also use variables directly in portrait expressions.
+Advisor (pl5): In a character event, use curly braces and parentheses.
+Advisor (doubt): But that needs to be set up in the character event, not in text.
+
+[wait time="1.0"]
+
+# ---- Clean up ----
+leave --All--
+[wait time="0.5"]
+
+jump gym10_main/menu
diff --git a/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_portrait_switch.dtl.uid b/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_portrait_switch.dtl.uid
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c6fb8d8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_portrait_switch.dtl.uid
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://8sk057i7sjgh
diff --git a/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_positions.dtl b/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_positions.dtl
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..647cd6e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_positions.dtl
@@ -0,0 +1,81 @@
+# ============================================================
+# Gym 10.1 — Positions & Presets
+# ============================================================
+# Demonstrates all preset positions and manual positioning.
+# ============================================================
+
+# ---- Clear the stage ----
+leave --All--
+
+Advisor (pl5): Let's start with the basics — character positions.
+
+# ---- Join at each preset position ----
+join Miko (neutral) left [animation="Fade In"]
+Miko (neutral): I'm on the left.
+
+join Advisor (pl5) center [animation="Fade In"]
+Advisor (pl5): I'm in the center.
+
+join Merchant (happy) right [animation="Fade In"]
+Merchant (happy): And I'm on the right!
+
+[wait time="1.0"]
+
+Advisor (pl5): Those are the three main presets: left, center, right.
+
+# ---- Show leftmost/rightmost ----
+leave --All--
+
+join Miko (smile) leftmost [animation="Fade In"]
+Miko (smile): Now I'm at leftmost — further to the edge!
+
+join Advisor (pl5) rightmost [animation="Fade In"]
+Advisor (pl5): And I'm at rightmost — the far right edge.
+
+[wait time="1.5"]
+
+Advisor (pl5): Available presets: leftmost, left, center, right, rightmost.
+
+# ---- Manual positioning ----
+leave --All--
+
+join Miko (joy) pos=x0.15y0.5 [animation="Fade In"]
+Miko (joy): I'm manually positioned at x=0.15!
+
+join Advisor (pl5) pos=x0.85y0.5 [animation="Fade In"]
+Advisor (pl5): And I'm at x=0.85 — no preset needed.
+
+[wait time="1.5"]
+
+Advisor (pl5): Use pos=xY for precise control over x/y coordinates.
+Advisor (doubt): Values are relative to viewport: 0=left, 0.5=center, 1=right.
+
+# ---- Z-Index (stacking order) ----
+leave --All--
+
+Miko (neutral): Next up — z-index controls who appears in front.
+
+join Miko (neutral) center [animation="Fade In" z_index="2"]
+Miko (neutral): My z_index is 2 — I should be on top.
+
+join Advisor (pl5) center [animation="Fade In" z_index="1"]
+Advisor (pl5): My z_index is 1 — I'm behind Miko.
+
+[wait time="1.5"]
+
+Advisor (doubt): Higher z_index = visually in front. Important when\
+characters overlap.
+
+join Merchant (happy) center [animation="Fade In" z_index="3"]
+Merchant (happy): z_index 3! I'm on top of everyone!
+
+[wait time="1.5"]
+
+Merchant (happy): Z-index is Dialogic's own sorting — not Godot's native z_index.
+
+# ---- Clean up and return ----
+leave --All--
+
+[wait time="0.5"]
+
+jump gym10_main/menu
diff --git a/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_positions.dtl.uid b/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_positions.dtl.uid
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f23be9a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_positions.dtl.uid
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://145553b16tyc
diff --git a/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_spine.dtl b/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_spine.dtl
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f0ebd32
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_spine.dtl
@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+# ============================================================
+# Gym 10.5 — Spine-Animated Portraits (Raptor)
+# ============================================================
+# Raptor uses spine animation portraits instead of static
+# images: walk, jump, roar. Each plays a looping animation.
+# ============================================================
+
+leave --All--
+
+# ---- Intro ----
+join Advisor (pl5) center
+Advisor (pl5): Raptor uses SPINE-ANIMATED portraits.
+Advisor (doubt): Unlike static PNG portraits, these play looping animations.
+
+[wait time="1.0"]
+
+# ---- Show the walk portrait ----
+leave Advisor
+join Raptor (walk) center [animation="Fade In"]
+
+Raptor (walk): This is my WALK portrait. I'm animated!
+
+[wait time="3.0"]
+
+# ---- Switch to jump ----
+update Raptor (jump) center
+
+Raptor (jump): Now I'm JUMPING! Notice the animation change.
+
+[wait time="3.0"]
+
+# ---- Switch to roar ----
+update Raptor (roar) center
+
+Raptor (roar): ROOOAAR! My roar animation is fierce!
+
+[wait time="3.0"]
+
+# ---- Demonstrate fade transition ----
+update Raptor (walk) center
+
+Raptor (walk): You can also crossfade between spine portraits.
+
+[wait time="1.0"]
+
+# ---- Compare with static portraits ----
+leave Raptor
+
+join Miko (neutral) center [animation="Fade In"]
+Miko (neutral): I use static PNG portraits — they don't move.
+Miko (smile): Each of my expressions is a separate still image.
+
+[wait time="1.0"]
+
+join Advisor (pl5) left [animation="Fade In"]
+Advisor (pl5): Spine portraits are great for characters that need\
+continuous motion — creatures, robots, or expressive characters.
+
+[wait time="1.5"]
+
+# ---- Bring Raptor back with both ----
+leave Miko
+leave Advisor
+
+join Raptor (walk) center [animation="Fade In"]
+
+Raptor (walk): Spine portraits are configured in the character resource.
+Raptor (walk): Each portrait points to a custom portrait scene\
+with a SpineSprite node instead of a TextureRect.
+
+[wait time="2.0"]
+
+# ---- Key difference ----
+join Advisor (pl5) right [animation="Fade In"]
+
+Advisor (pl5): Key difference: spine animations loop forever.
+Advisor (pl5): Static portraits stay on one frame until you switch them.
+Advisor (pl5): Both use the same join/update/leave commands!
+
+[wait time="2.0"]
+
+# ---- Clean up ----
+leave --All--
+[wait time="0.5"]
+
+jump gym10_main/menu
diff --git a/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_spine.dtl.uid b/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_spine.dtl.uid
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4837557
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_spine.dtl.uid
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://bh4bv8cb644be
diff --git a/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_transforms.dtl b/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_transforms.dtl
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0178b9a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_transforms.dtl
@@ -0,0 +1,98 @@
+# ============================================================
+# Gym 10.4 — Transforms (Mirror, Scale, Offset)
+# ============================================================
+# Demonstrates visual manipulation: mirroring (flip),
+# scaling, offset, and manual positioning with size/rotation.
+# ============================================================
+
+leave --All--
+
+# ---- Baseline ----
+Miko (neutral): Let's explore transforms — mirror, scale, and offset.
+join Miko (neutral) center [animation="Fade In"]
+Miko (neutral): Here I am at default: scale=1, no mirror, no offset.
+
+[wait time="1.5"]
+
+# ---- Mirror (flip horizontally) ----
+update Miko (neutral) center [animation="Tada" wait="true" mirrored="true"]
+Miko (smile): And now I'm mirrored! I'm facing the other way.
+
+[wait time="1.0"]
+
+update Miko (neutral) center [animation="Tada" wait="true" mirrored="false"]
+Miko (smile): And back to normal. Mirror is great for characters\
+facing each other.
+
+[wait time="1.5"]
+
+# ---- Scale ----
+leave Miko
+join Miko (joy) center [animation="Fade In"]
+Miko (joy): This is scale=1 — the default size.
+
+[wait time="1.0"]
+
+leave Miko
+# Scale is set on the character resource, but we can demonstrate via update
+# with manual size
+join Miko (shock) pos=x0.5y0.5 size=x0.4y0.4 [animation="Bounce In"]
+Miko (shock): Now I'm bigger! size=x0.4 y0.4 — 40% of viewport!
+
+[wait time="1.5"]
+
+join Advisor (pl5) pos=x0.2y0.5 size=x0.2y0.2 [animation="Fade In"]
+Advisor (pl5): And I'm smaller — only 20% of the viewport.
+
+[wait time="1.5"]
+
+Miko (smile): Size differences create visual hierarchy.
+Advisor (pl5): The main speaker can be larger; background characters smaller.
+
+[wait time="1.5"]
+
+# ---- Offset ----
+leave --All--
+
+join Miko (neutral) center [animation="Fade In"]
+Miko (neutral): Offset shifts a character from their position origin.
+
+[wait time="1.0"]
+
+# Offset is set on the character resource, not via timeline syntax
+# But we can use manual pos for the same effect
+update Miko (smile) pos=x0.5y0.7 [move_time="0.8" move_trans="Sine" move_ease="In Out"]
+Miko (smile): I used pos= to shift downward smoothly!
+
+[wait time="1.0"]
+
+update Miko (joy) pos=x0.5y0.5 [move_time="0.5"]
+Miko (joy): And back to center. The move_time made it animate smoothly.
+
+[wait time="1.5"]
+
+# ---- Rotation ----
+leave Miko
+join Miko (joy) pos=x0.5y0.5 rot=15 [animation="Fade In"]
+Miko (joy): I'm tilted! rot=15 degrees.
+
+[wait time="1.0"]
+
+update Miko (smile) pos=x0.5y0.5 rot=0 [move_time="0.5"]
+Miko (smile): And back to straight. Rotate for dramatic effect!
+
+[wait time="1.5"]
+
+# ---- Summary ----
+leave --All--
+
+Advisor (pl5): Quick reference:
+Advisor (pl5): • mirroed=true/false — flip horizontally
+Advisor (doubt): • size=x1 y1 — scale from viewport (0-1)
+Advisor (doubt): • pos=x1 y1 — manual position
+Advisor (doubt): • rot=degrees — rotation
+Advisor (doubt): • move_time=X — smooth tween for position changes
+
+[wait time="2.0"]
+
+jump gym10_main/menu
diff --git a/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_transforms.dtl.uid b/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_transforms.dtl.uid
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2a94436
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_transforms.dtl.uid
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://dcd782k6ho422
diff --git a/project.godot b/project.godot
index 40b3260..97acc31 100644
--- a/project.godot
+++ b/project.godot
@@ -29,6 +29,12 @@ directories/dch_directory={
 directories/dtl_directory={
 "gym09_congrats": "res://docs/gyms/gym09_scene_switching/gym09_congrats.dtl",
 "gym09_intro": "res://docs/gyms/gym09_scene_switching/gym09_intro.dtl",
+"gym10_main": "res://docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_main.dtl",
+"gym10_multichar": "res://docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_multichar.dtl",
+"gym10_portrait_switch": "res://docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_portrait_switch.dtl",
+"gym10_positions": "res://docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_positions.dtl",
+"gym10_spine": "res://docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_spine.dtl",
+"gym10_transforms": "res://docs/gyms/gym10_character_portraits/gym10_transforms.dtl",
 "gym_main": "res://docs/gyms/cross-timeline-interactions/gym_main.dtl",
 "gym_pattern1_jump": "res://docs/gyms/cross-timeline-interactions/gym_pattern1_jump.dtl",
 "gym_pattern1_target": "res://docs/gyms/cross-timeline-interactions/gym_pattern1_target.dtl",